TrendsOct 03, 2025
Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco Tie the Knot Wearing Diamonds, White MetalsGomez’s jewelry included Tiffany & Co. drop-style earrings while Blanco stacked diamonds from Jacob & Co. on his wrist.
Policies & IssuesJun 15, 2017
Wisc. Congressman Pushes Back Against Online Sales Tax
Jim Sensenbrenner’s “No Regulation Without Representation” Act would prohibit states from imposing sales tax collection requirements on businesses that have no physical presence in the state.
Washington--One Republican in the House of Representatives is pushing back against legislation that would give states the power to force online retailers to collect sales tax in every state.
On Monday, Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) reintroduced the “No Regulation Without Representation” Act, which would prohibit states from imposing sales tax requirements on businesses with no physical presence in the state and no vote in the representation that would implement the tax.
In a release announcing the revival of the bill, which was first introduced last year but died in committee, Sensenbrenner’s office said that states are growing “increasingly aggressive” in imposing regulations on out-of-state businesses in their “never-ending quest for new revenues.”
“Over-taxation and regulatory burdens weigh heavy on American businesses. These practices prohibit economic growth, stunt hiring and make it harder for businesses to expand,” the congressman said in the release. “(This act) helps alleviate these burdens, promotes entrepreneurial endeavors, and is an ally of small business.”
Sensenbrenner’s office did not respond when contacted for further comment Wednesday.
Among the act’s supporters are House Judiciary Committee Chair Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.)--who co-sponsored the bill and has been a longtime opponent of sales tax “fairness”--Jewelry Television (JTV) and online retailer Overstock.com.
“As a remote retailer of colored gem stones and jewelry, JTV supports this bill because it will put a stop to the onslaught of out-of-state legislation and regulation designed to regulate interstate sales without representation and without nexus,” JTV’s Charlie Wagner said in a statement to Bloomberg BNA. “This growing patchwork of state-level laws and regulations undermines interstate commerce and further development of e-commerce, which is so important to our nation’s economy.”
The No Regulation Without Representation Act (H.R. 2887) is in direct contraction with the “Remote Transactions Parity Act,” which Rep. Kristi Noem (R-South Dakota) reintroduced in the House earlier this year, and the “Marketplace Fairness Act” in the Senate.
While not identical, the aim of both bills is to allow states to require out-of-state sellers to collect sales tax, regardless of whether or not they have a physical presence in the state. This, supporters say, would help brick-and-mortar retailers, many of whom find themselves at a further price disadvantage when online sellers don’t have to collect state sales tax.
Retail organizations, including Jewelers of America and the National Retail Federation, have been lobbying for sales tax “fairness” on behalf of their members for years.
Both
JA and the NRF spoke out against Sensenbrenner’s proposal.
“This new bill is not fair to Main Street retailers,” JA President and CEO David Bonaparte said Wednesday. “It would give online retailers an upper hand by not requiring them to have to charge sales tax ... and that’s what we’re fighting against.
“We don’t agree with this proposal.”
The NRF called the bill “out of step with the modern digital economy.”
Chris Fetzer, of Washington, D.C.-based firm Haake Fetzer, which lobbies in Washington on behalf of JA, said as of now, the No Regulation Without Representation Act doesn’t have a companion bill in the Senate or the support required for its passage there.
He also pointed out Sensenbrenner’s act has a total of eight sponsors, all Republicans, while the Remote Transactions Parity Act, has 20, 10 Republicans and 10 Democrats, and that Sensenbrenner and Goodlatte tried but failed to get other Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee to sign on as co-sponsors for the bill.
“It’s a positive sign for supporters of federal sales tax fairness legislation that there were no takers,” Fetzer said. “Furthermore, Rep. Sensenbrenner’s previous version of this bill, which was introduced in July 2016, died in committee at the end of the 114th Congress. His new version of the bill may well suffer the same fate.”
The text of Sensenbrenner’s No Regulation Without Representation Act can be viewed here. A full list of the act’s co-sponsors is available on Congress.gov.
“This new bill is not fair to Main Street retailers,” JA President and CEO David Bonaparte said Wednesday. “It would give online retailers an upper hand by not requiring them to have to charge sales tax ... and that’s what we’re fighting against.
“We don’t agree with this proposal.”
The NRF called the bill “out of step with the modern digital economy.”
Chris Fetzer, of Washington, D.C.-based firm Haake Fetzer, which lobbies in Washington on behalf of JA, said as of now, the No Regulation Without Representation Act doesn’t have a companion bill in the Senate or the support required for its passage there.
He also pointed out Sensenbrenner’s act has a total of eight sponsors, all Republicans, while the Remote Transactions Parity Act, has 20, 10 Republicans and 10 Democrats, and that Sensenbrenner and Goodlatte tried but failed to get other Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee to sign on as co-sponsors for the bill.
“It’s a positive sign for supporters of federal sales tax fairness legislation that there were no takers,” Fetzer said. “Furthermore, Rep. Sensenbrenner’s previous version of this bill, which was introduced in July 2016, died in committee at the end of the 114th Congress. His new version of the bill may well suffer the same fate.”
The text of Sensenbrenner’s No Regulation Without Representation Act can be viewed here. A full list of the act’s co-sponsors is available on Congress.gov.
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
GradingOct 03, 2025
Grading Lab HRD Antwerp Names New CEODiamond industry banking veteran Paul De Wachter will take on the role in January 2026.
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kallati’s Pink Sapphire RingTaylor Swift flaunts an Elizabeth Taylor-esque gemstone in promo for her new album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”
CollectionsOct 02, 2025
Boucheron Debuts Cuffs Crafted With 3D-Printed SandIts “Quantre Sand” capsule was made using a 3D sand printing technique borrowed from the automotive and aeronautics industries.
Weekly QuizOct 02, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeOct 02, 2025
$1M in Jewelry Stolen in Northern California Smash and Grab Four individuals have been charged in the “takeover-style” robbery of Heller Jewelers last month, and additional charges are expected.
MajorsOct 02, 2025
Neil Lane Jewelry Exhibition Coming to Toledo Museum of Art“Radiance and Reverie” will showcase more than 150 jewels from Lane’s personal collection by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and more.
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment ProgramWith their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.
TrendsOct 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Colorful ShowThe month’s birthstones, tourmaline and opal, complement the palette of autumn.
ColumnistsOct 01, 2025
Peter Smith: Why Vendor Success Starts With Self-ReflectionSmith shares the importance of looking at your company with openness and honesty to identify opportunities you may be missing.
EditorsOct 01, 2025
Playing Favorites: The Best Jewelry From VicenzaoroAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco visited Italy to spot jewelry trends at the September Vicenzaoro show and share her top finds.
SurveysOct 01, 2025
Consumer Confidence Hits 5-Month Low in September Respondents were concerned about job availability and rising prices.
SourcingOct 01, 2025
Gemfields’ H1 Revenue Falls 47%Its latest interim financials revealed a challenging first half due in part to production troubles at its mines.
MajorsSep 30, 2025
Pandora CEO to Retire in 2026, Hand Reins to CMO Alexander Lacik has led Pandora since 2019. Berta de Pablos-Barbier will succeed him, the first woman to head the company.
CrimeSep 30, 2025
2 Suspects Charged in $300K Sleight-of-Hand Jewelry Store ScamTwo men allegedly used counterfeit bills to purchase luxury watches and jewelry from a North Carolina jeweler.
CollectionsSep 30, 2025
Billie Eilish, Finneas Partner with John HardyThe “Lovestruck” collection, designed with the Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings, is the brand’s first lab-grown diamond offering.
IndependentsSep 30, 2025
Spinelli Kilcollin Announces Residency in DallasThe brand, celebrating its 15th anniversary, has popped up at Market, a luxury fashion destination in Highland Park Village.
IndependentsSep 29, 2025
Nina Pugliese, Longtime Henne Jewelers Employee, Dies at 65She was remembered as a creative and generous woman of faith, who also had a sweet tooth.
TrendsSep 29, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Ear FocusMove over neck mess, the ear story is the way to make a layering statement today.
IndependentsSep 29, 2025
Mark Henry Jewelry to Debut in CanadaThe New York-based brand is set to launch a limited-time offering for the holiday season at Holt Renfrew in Toronto.
MajorsSep 29, 2025
Overnight Releases New Bridal CatalogThe “Volume 7” bridal catalog features best-selling engagement rings, trending styles, and a new section highlighting anniversary bands.
SurveysSep 26, 2025
Online Shopping, Influencers to Drive Holiday Spending, Mastercard SaysHoliday sales growth is expected to slow as consumers grapple with inflation and tariff-related uncertainty.
Events & AwardsSep 26, 2025
Winners of Austin Jewelry Design Contest Announced Jamie Turner Designs is among the winners of the local “Austin Shines” contest, hosted by Eliza Page, a jewelry store in Austin, Texas.
TrendsSep 26, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kwit Jewelry’s Square Signet Pinky RingThe red and azure colorway is one of many fun enamel pairings offered, bringing whimsy to the classic style of a monogramed signet ring.
SourcingSep 25, 2025
2 African Countries Aim to Take Stake in De Beers Botswana’s president said his country wants a controlling share, while Angola envisions multiple countries holding minority stakes.
Lab-GrownSep 25, 2025
Kira Jewels Expands Lab-Grown Diamond ProductionThe manufacturer is adding 1,400 chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactors to its growing facility in India.
IndependentsSep 25, 2025
Alex Moss’ New Flagship Brings Bold Jewels to SoHoThe jeweler to the stars has worked with Drake, A$AP Rocky, Tyler the Creator, and other celebrities.
